Metal Lathes

[bamatoolmaker]

In the 2,000.00 range you are quite limited on the selection.I would be surprised if you could find a used HD lathe for that price that was not completely worn out.I know 1 man that swears by the Grizzly brand but he is using wood working machinery.I have used Jet and Enco lathes and are decent machines for mild steel and aluminum.

 

[MadReferee]

Back about 20 years ago I paid $1000 for my South Bend 9A and it came fully tooled with 3-jaw, 4-jaw, 6-jaw, face plate, several different QC tool posts, complete set of 3C collets and much more. Every now and then you see them for sale for about what I paid less tooling. This one is about 40 years old and is still going strong.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Vernon,
I have never been able to catch any machine tool auctions at A & M so I'm not sure what they have offered and who decides when and what to sell.

I can say if your not in any hurry to look for a nice used machine. Monarch, Clausing, Hardinge, South Bend are great machines. Victor and others are decent too. Look for wear up close to the chuck on the ways, feed screw shafts etc. See if the spindle bearings are easy to spin without play. Some things can be fixed but full out wear on the ways is pretty much when you move a machine to someone elses barn or weldshop. I would say you could find something decent for $2K if you look. Most people who deal this stuff in the business want $3K on up. It all depends on what you want to cut and the tolerance you want to hold.

Mad, you got a great deal if your machine is in good shape. A new Hardinge dovetail toolroom lathe with readout is over $37,000 last I checked 10 years ago.

 

[texbaylea]

Mad

Thank for the lead to the HSM forums. The 3 jaw chuck did not want to come off the Atlas. Found the suggstion there to lock up the headstock with the bull gear pinned and the backgear engaged. Chuck up a large Allen wrench and tap it with a dead blow hammer!! Did it and it worked

Kyle
Near as I can figure that the good stuff that is declared surplus is spotted out by staff and pre sold. What ends up in public sales is the left overs.

If I can get away during the dog shows in Houston in July I will see what remains in the way of surplus machinery dealers. I have been watching the swap page from Houston Home Metal Shop Club but not seeing anything I want.

I guess that I will just have to be patient and clean and set up my little Atlas. I just hope I can find the box with all the extras as I need the 4-jaw chuck for an immediate project.

Vernon

 

[texbaylea]

Mad

That is a great looking SB. I love see old machines that have been maintained.

Two of my woodworking tools came from the late 40's, early 50's that my father bought; a Delta 14" band saw and a 6" Craftsman jointer. Both are still serviceable. The band saw is in need of another set of tires and the jointer could use a new set of knives.

Vernon

 

[jmc]

Anyone have any experience with these lathes or know of similar for me to look at?
Vernon

Vernon,

For what its worth, Enco has a March sale on a12x36 gap bed in that price range, with free shipping. I've never seen one. Here's a link:
Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

John

 

[MadReferee]

That ENCO lathe probably came from the same factory as the Grizzly. For $2294 you get a lathe with motor and cabinet stand. Not a bad deal since it includes free shipping. You can spend the money saved with no shipping on some additional tooling over and above what comes with the lathe.

 

[texbaylea]

John

Thanks for the note. I will go look at the Enco site.

Vernon

 

[texbaylea]

I looked at the Enco site and agree it does look very much like the Grizzly unit. I was disappointed with the Enco site in comparision to Grizzly's in the amount of detail about the lathe. I could not find a manual or detailed spec sheet. I did find a manual for a similar lathe but not that specific one.

I like the way Grizzly puts links to the manual, parts list and specifications on the page with the unit. At the moment I would go with Grizzly primarily because I feel more comfortable with the amount of info I can get from them.

I appreciate everyones input but am putting this search aside but not forgotten. I have just about convinced myself that a backhoe is of more value to us and more important right now.

Vernon